Winfred Bratten, 78 - September 02, 2009

Winfred Augustine Bratten, 78, of Brady died Wednesday, Aug. 26, 2009, at Lincoln.
Services were held on Monday, Aug. 31, at the Evangelical Free Church of Gothenburg with the Revs. Ken Sawyer and Rick Rehmert officiating. Burial took place at Fort McPherson National Cemetery.
Bratten was born Dec. 16, 1930, to August and Minnie (Thompson) Bratten at a family farm in Wild Horse Valley.
He attended elementary school at District No. 109, and attended Brady High School, but had to leave when his father became ill. He later received his GED while serving in the Air National Guard.
On June 2, 1957, he married Beverly Maline at the First United Methodist Church of Cozad. To this union, four daughters were born. He and his family lived in Wild Horse Valley in the same home where he was born.
Bratten was a lifetime farmer/rancher and was a Pioneer seed corn salesman for 25 years. He had a special passion with an internal combustion engine which he invented and later patented. He also held an electrician’s license and performed electrical work around the valley.
He was a member of the Svea Dal Covenant Church since his teen years and held numerous church offices. His personal relationship with his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was reflected in everything he did, according to family members. He was also a member of Gideon’s International, served on Youth for Christ Board and the District 109 School Board.
Bratten was proud of his family and attended most all of his grandchildren’s events, said family members. He also enjoyed woodworking projects.
He was preceded in death by: his mother, Minnie Bratten; his father, August Bratten; a brother, Dale LaVern Bratten; brothers-in-law—Willard Johnson, Wilbert Anderson and Dale Linke.
Survivors include: his wife of 52 years, Beverly; his daughters—Debra Jo Bratten of Milford, Diane (Marlan) Hohnstein and children—Ryan, Evan and Amanda of Lincoln, Jodi (Mark) Nelson and children—Jake, Tanner and Karli of Bertrand, and Kristi (Joe) Burford of Brady; sisters—Eleanor Johnson of Broken Bow and Norrene Anderson of Gothenburg; sisters-in-law—Dawna Bratten, Trudy Bratten, Linda Linke and Judy (Don) Schmidt; brother-in-law, Tom (Judy) Maline; numerous nieces and nephews.
Memorials are suggested to the Svea Dal Covenant,1676 Svea Dal Rd., Brady, NE 69123; Youth For Christ-International Office, P.O Box 4555, Englewood, CO 80155; The Gideon’s International, P.O. Box 133, Gothenburg, NE 69138.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at www.blase strauser.com.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Blase-Strauser Memorial Chapel of Gothenburg.

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